John Richards Preston ’51

JOHN DIED SUDDENLY Aug. 16, 1990, at his home in Boca Raton, Fla.

He was born in Washington, D.C. He was an artillery officer in the First Marine Division in the Korean War, working with Republic of Korea marines, He was a brand manager at Procter & Gamble for ten years, then a marketing V.P. at S.C. Johnson, Gillette, and Campbell Soup.

John changed careers in 1981 and became a stockbroker, first with Alan Bush Brokerage, then with Gulfstream Financial Associates, both in Boca Raton.

He prepped at Mercersburg Academy. At Princeton he majored in history, was on the editorial boards of the DAILY PRINCETONIAN and the NASSAU SOVEREIGN. He roomed with Chick Deyo and Carl Jacob. John was a member of Charter Club and the swimming team.

Swimming was a lifelong interest. At Mercersburg John was on a nationally ranked relay team, whose record is in the Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale. He coached his two sons as they grew up. Unlike "dad coaches" in many sports, John's only concern, in his son Keith's words, was that "I do my best ... sport was a great lessonteaching activity, not a means of attaining personal glory."

John's precepts of hard work, honesty, and selflessness trailed him throughout his business career. He left many friends and those who live by the examples he set.

John is survived by his widow, Hildegarde, sons Keith and Bruce, and two grandchildren. The Class salutes a remarkable man and an outstanding member.

The Class of 1951